Help! - Counseling vs. I/O Psychology

[decima.tion]

Analysis paralysis isn't even severe enough of a phrase to describe what I've been going through lately. I've spent the past several months plagued with insomnia trying to figure out what I want to do with my career. Perhaps some of you could help me decide? =(

 

Background/stats:

 

- Graduated with B.S. in Economics and Management from a top-tier school, but poor ugrad GPA of 3.0 (school is known for grade deflation, but I know that's not a legit excuse)

 

- Currently completing a second bachelor's in Psychology to rework my GPA, current GPA is 3.9 and is expected to finish around there

 

- GRE is 163 Verbal, 164 Quant (94th percentile for each) BUT this was taken in 2013 so it will expire before I apply for PhD programs

 

- Only one research experience, 2 years with Harvard Business School doing behavioral economics research (most applicable to I/O Psychology)... lots of statistical data analysis. Got very familiar with R and SAS haha

 

- Worked in investment banking, management consulting, business development, marketing, public relations, and administrative/operations.... so I have quite a few contacts in the business world

 

OPTION #1: I/O PSYCHOLOGY

 

Rationale: It's near and dear to my heart. The previous industries that I've worked in (banking, consulting) are in drastic need of some reform in the areas of work-life balance, stress, workplace bullying, etc. I and many of my colleagues have been victim to poor practices, and I really want to help change the environment of these "high-performing" industries to something that also promotes mental wellness.

 

Timeline: Masters degree fall 2016 - spring 2018, then straight to work.

Pros: Quick finishing time (no license needed, so can work right away). I have business background and have worked with campus recruiting, internship program development, internal organization, etc. May be easier to find a job given my network is largely in the business world, not the clinical one.

Cons: I'd like to go for a PhD eventually, but a PhD in I/O sounds boring. I don't want to be a scholar, I want to be a practitioner. But I also hear that PhDs get paid more and are given more autonomy...? Also, in my state (Texas), it seems most of the I/O grads end up in human resource management instead of true I/O work due to lack of jobs available...

 

OPTION #2: COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

 

Rationale: Was my original plan when I entered college. Also near to my heart, as I have lost friends from mental health issues and have gone through tough times of my own. I've owned a freelance coaching business and enjoy helping others talk through and understand the psychological reasoning behind seemingly "crazy" sentiments.

 

Timeline: Masters degree (in Counseling) fall 2016 - spring 2018 (to bump up GPA and get research experience), then PhD degree fall 2018 - whenever.

Pros: Licensable path. Better work-life balance, esp in private practice (where I want to eventually end up). I enjoy the scholarly aspect of counseling psych more than I/O psych, so the PhD wouldn't be a total drag.

Cons: It's going to be years before I can start practicing! I'm already 25, so it just feels like I'm delaying life by a lot. I also have a significant amount of debt (credit cards, not student loans, so they can't be deferred during school), and I want to start paying them off ASAP.

 

If you were me, what would you choose and why?

Edited June 3, 2015 by decima.tion

[_kita]

If I were in your shoes, I would go I/O. But that's because, as a counselor, I know how burnt out the system can make you. So yes, you're at home more, but you feel more exhausted and have nothing left to give. But that's me, and only you would know if you can separate yourself to not bring your work home with you.

 

Overall, I/O on a masters level pays far more than counseling at a masters level. Business and industry pay more. Also, while the PhD is academic/scholarly, look to where the placement after the PhD is. I think you need to look more at the jobs, job market, and what is right for you. Both are solid careers, but only you will know which field will lead you to what I call a 'content' life. Where, when you come home at night, you feel like you achieved something, contributed what you need to to the family, but can still give more to the ones you care about. 

[decima.tion]

A big concern of mine is also the fact that I have some time-consuming hobbies / side passions that I want to make sure I have time for. I'm a former professional dancer who teaches at several schools in my city during the evenings (around the 6-8pm timeframe); it is such an integral part of my life that I refuse to give it up.

 

My primary concern with I/O was the ability to find a job that didn't demand 60-hour weeks. I've worked in management consulting before, and no way would I go back. The job leaves you ZERO time to have a life. So the only other direction I could go with I/O would be in-house psych or human resources, but it seems the corporate world constantly requires more hours and efforts outside of the normal 9-to-5.

 

Can anyone speak to the general workweek of a psychologist working for.... say, the VA or a community clinic? Do you get a general 40-hour workweek, and are you able to leave work at work? My IDEAL job with a counseling psych degree would be in a university counseling center, but I'm open to options.

 

EDIT: Forgot to say thanks for your insight!

Edited June 3, 2015 by decima.tion

[_kita]

A big concern of mine is also the fact that I have some time-consuming hobbies / side passions that I want to make sure I have time for. I'm a former professional dancer who teaches at several schools in my city during the evenings (around the 6-8pm timeframe); it is such an integral part of my life that I refuse to give it up.

 

My primary concern with I/O was the ability to find a job that didn't demand 60-hour weeks. I've worked in management consulting before, and no way would I go back. The job leaves you ZERO time to have a life. So the only other direction I could go with I/O would be in-house psych or human resources, but it seems the corporate world constantly requires more hours and efforts outside of the normal 9-to-5.

 

Can anyone speak to the general workweek of a psychologist working for.... say, the VA or a community clinic? Do you get a general 40-hour workweek, and are you able to leave work at work? My IDEAL job with a counseling psych degree would be in a university counseling center, but I'm open to options.

 

EDIT: Forgot to say thanks for your insight!

 

Those hours drastically change based on where you are working. I know several Mental Health Clinicians who are never moved based part-time. And those hours are spread across the full week (mornings/nights/weekends). They work at residential programs. Several I know are not making enough to support themselves. However, other Clinicians have a full-time position including running evening & day groups. In fact, they're also doing 60+ hours a week, or working at other programs to fill in their evening hours to make pay. There's no way to gauge what hours you will have. The spectrum is wide. 

 

With a firm, "I won't do evenings" cut off, that will just be a bridge you have to cross when you start job applications. No matter the job, field, etc., there's no guaranteeing where it will/will not hinder the hunt.

[weshh]

Well,

 

I cannot really answer which path is best for you. However, it appears you have a lot of field related experience to go along with I/O. So if you are interested in that kind of stuff it seems like you have a good start on that career path.

 

 

Goodluck with whatever you choose! I am in a very similar predicament.

[SportPsych30]

I recommend you look into the I/O program at Bowling Green in Ohio. They are consistently ranked in top 5. My friends in that program are all going to go practitioner, which seems to be a large focus of the program. It is, however, PhD only, but they do practitioner internships during summer to get that experience and receive a ton of funding.